About the Bears.....
- Each piece of fur used in my bears is fully lined using high grade polyester/cotton blend lining.
- The bears are fully jointed at arms, legs and head, using discs cut from 1/8" - tempered masonite. The joints are secured with bolts, washers and lock nuts. Cotter pins are used in place of bolts and lock nuts when making “wobble headed” bears.
- The nose is carefully hand embroidered with black coton perlé.
- The eyes are made of German hand blown glass.
- The fur from each pattern piece is trimmed to approx. 1/8 " around all edges - - before being stitched to diminish bulk and evidence of a seam. Colour shading and fur length are carefully matched at seams.
- The legs in the self-standing bears encase supports to enhance shape and provide stability for standing. The legs in the bent limb designs feature 14 gauge armature for flexibility and posing.
The head and bodies are stuffed adequately with polyester fiberfill. The feet are weighted with steel shot to facilitate standing. Weight is also added in belly to give added substance to teddy.
- The arms in most models are flexible and feature wire armature.
- The eight areas on the hide inside the body where the disks are positioned for the joints are reinforced with ultra-suede patches.
- All bears are primarily machine stitched, with the exception of the snout, ears and closures in backs of limbs, head and body. These areas are hand sewn shut using a ladder-stitch and upholstery thread. These closure areas are also reinforced with cotton/polyester bias tape.
- The inside ears on most bears are trimmed and hand-dyed.
- The four paw pads are typically cut from suede and are lined as well.
- The open-mouth style bears have tongues made from ultrasuede. The tongues are contoured with five to six layers, are hand-dyed and encase 18 gauge craft wire for flexibility. The inside of the mouth of made from kid leather.
- All my bears' snouts are carefully scissor sculpted using professional barber scissors. I do not make use of clippers or shears. Needing sculpting is employed in the open mouth design.
- Each teddy bear is individual, even though the same pattern may be repeated.
- All teddy bears bear the signature "Linda Joan", and are dated and numbered. The signature, date and number are written on a leather tag attached in the seam of teddy’s derriere.
- A Certificate of Authenticity is also provided with each bear.
Linda Joan Chiasson
Bear in Mind Collectibles
Award winning bear artist and
Juried Member of the New Brunswick Crafts Council
Dieppe, NB CANADA
506.383.2002
lindajoan@bearinmindcollectibles.com
506.383.2002
